In-Nocentes at Sadler’s Wells

It is likely everyone has experienced that moment when a certain music is playing and one’s body is inevitably moved by its melody. The National Youth Dance company captures precisely this moment in their original production, In-Nocentes, at Sadler’s Wells.

Started off by a short documentary about what makes a dancer exceptional, the cast affectionately introduces the central theme of In-Nocentes: how music can guide and resonate with human movement. Subtly, the stage is illuminated and 42 young dancers sitting in a semi-circle are revealed. Everything is silent until the string orchestra behind the group begins to play Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, revisited by Max Richter. At first, the group responds with violent shaking but their jerking movements are soon transformed into graceful ones as the music swells to fill the auditorium.

Individuals continually step forward and carry the choreography on independently. They are not only accompanied by the string composition, but contribute beats and other subtle noises through their body movements. The choreography itself is eclectic: elements are taken from a variety of dance genres, ranging from modern and street dance to ballet. Though the dancers are not synchronised at all times, it does not harm the powerful impact the movements have on the viewer. If anything, the slight asynchrony adds a personal note to In-Nocentes and demonstrate that every dancer experiences music and movement in their unique way.

In these subtle details, In-Nocentes beautifully translates Vivaldi’s string music into dance. It feels fresh and, most importantly, authentic.

Luisa Kapp

In-Nocentes was on at Sadler’s Wells on 7^th April 2016, for further information visit here.